Summary of Panel Discussion in Calgary: Keeping Our Promises: Canada's Role Post 2011
'Keeping Our Promises: What Should Canada's Role Be in Afghanistan Post-2011?'
A CASC/CW4WAfghan-sponsored panel at the Kahanoff Centre, April 28, 2010
Panelists: Ambassador Ludin, Najia Haneefi, Lauryn Oates, and Terry Glavin
Summary of Event by D. Alexander, CW4WAfghan Director
The panel was moderated by Lauryn Oates who introduced the panelists and explained that each would speak for approximately 12 minutes, after which the floor would be open for questions.
Terry Glavin, Journalist: • the special parliamentary committee on Afghanistan has been side-tracked by endless discussion of the Detainee issue • As CASC consulted with Afghan Canadians and many in Afghanistan (govt., professionals, ordinary citizens, and even some warlords) over what Canadian policy should be going forward, they found a lot of consensus: 1) the machinery of govt. is not in place yet to make democracy work, human rights work, or carry off elections. 2) There's a need for Canada to partner with the Afghan Ministry of Education in its development of education programs. 3) Canada needs to start looking beyond Kandahar and focus more on national needs. 4) Canada is in a unique position to help in Afghanistan because it has no history of foreign conquest, no authorship in proxy wars in Afghanistan, and is seen as a 'fair player' in helping build democracy. 5) If Canada doesn't continue to do teacher training and try to address the lack of textbooks, etc., Iran will take over these jobs. • At the very time the panel was taking place, there was to be a motion put forward in Parliament to the effect that the Special Committee on Afghanistan start focusing on post-2011 policy. • The Afghan Canadian community is an important resource, which should not be overlooked by policy makers. * Canadians need to make their voices heard re: this immediate need for discussion by writing Letters to the Editor, speaking up on Talk Shows, contacting their MPs.
Ambassador Ludin: * Over the last 10 years Afghanistan has tried to re-create a state. They have a long, proud history prior to the last 30 years of war. • The media story to date hides much of what is going on that is positive. • “We have begun doing things differently in the last two years.” Before, there was a lack of awareness of outside sources of the insurgency (Pakistan), • there was under-investment in the building of security ( not enough soldier strength) • “Afghans have not done well in dealing with corruption • “We are grateful to Canada and we would like Canadians to stay with us.” • In future the focus needs to be on: 1) training of our army, as Security is the Number One issue, 2) building up civil institutions, and 3) development, including agriculture and energy.
Najia Haneefi, Founder of the Women’s Political Participation Committee • If there is too rapid a troop withdrawal: 1) local military flare-ups will occur, 2) there will be dislocations of populations again (refugees), and 3) women will lose their human rights unless something is done to ensure support for Article 3 of the Afghan Constitution. “The Taliban will celebrate the departure and women will mourn their loss.” • It is extremely important that governance issues be addressed • After 2011 the focus will need to be on: 1) long-term training, 2) promotion of social development, 3) aid for hospitals, agriculture, and higher education, and 4)consideration of global security implications Lauryn Oates, Canadian Human Rights Activist, Director of Projects for CW4WAfghan • Afghans say they want Canadians to push harder for good governance. They say, ”We want you to interfere...to stand up for us!” • It will be important to invest in human capital * Education is not only a development issue. It is a security issue as well. “We need to build a strong education sector. There is a lot of power in literacy.”
Questions from the floor followed these four presentations.
Question 1: How can the young Taliban be rehabilitated?
Ambassador Ludin: “There is a new Reconciliation Initiative launched by Karzai in January. However, there are many who worry about whether if there is reconciliation rights will be compromised.”(!!!!)
Question 2: What is being done about energy infrastructure, especially electricity?
Ambassador Ludin: “Thousands of kilometres of roads have been built. Communications have had massive growth. But we are lacking infrastructure in energy. Kabul has only had reliable electricity in the last year or so. On the development side there are two big needs: agriculture and energy. Canada has made a significant contribution with the Dahla Dam project in Kandahar.”
Question 3: Are there mechanisms in Afghanistan for effective relationships between civil society and the government?
Najia Haneefi: Yes. There is a Coalition of Women Politicians. They are always invited into discussions. There is, generally speaking, a good relationship between the government and women's organizations, especially re: peace negotiations. Twenty-five percent of parliamentarians are women.”
Question 4: What is Canada's role in winning the 'hearts and minds' of Afghans?
Terry Glavin: “We don't have a problem. There have been 13-14 polls over the last 7 years showing overwhelming support for NATO's involvement . As Najia has commented elsewhere, “If the Afghans didn't want U.S., Canadian, and other NATO forces to continue in Afghanistan they would have run them out!” Our problem is convincing Canadians of this. Ambassador Ludin: “ Afghans on the border with Pakistan have felt unprotected. They have even been bombed in their villages.”
Question 5: Given the preoccupation of the Media on reporting only the military story, how can we win the 'hearts and minds' of Canadians ?
Terry Glavin: “Christie Blachford (and one other female journalist) are the exceptions.” Lauryn Oates: “There are lots of things we can do to combat the under-reporting of all the positive things – the progress-- in Afghanistan. Show 'The Heroes' gallery of photos/stories in your community. Write your Member of Parliament. Write Letters to the Editor. Talk to your friends about the positives; spread the word. CASC will be posting a document next week on their website about what you can do to move the dialogue forward.”
Question 6: (to Ambassador Ludin): Has Prime Minister Harper ever asked you face to face what you think Canada's role should be? Ambassador Ludin: “ No. I speak with Mr. Harper’s advisors frequently about a variety of issues. But, no, he and I have not talked about this.”
Question 7: Given that the date for Canada's military withdrawal is set at 2011, how does the Afghan government plan for this departure?
Ambassador Ludin: “ What we need to be talking about is 'changing roles', not 'ending roles'”. After 2011 there will be a need for: 1) long-term training of the army as Security is of the utmost importance, 2) promotion of social development, including aid for hospitals, agriculture, and higher education, 3) focus on global security issues, not just the needs of Afghanistan alone.
